The AUD397 million Adelaide Convention Centre Redevelopment project is a major extension to the existing Convention Centre facilities which required world class engineering solutions. The first phase of the Adelaide Convention Centre West Building was opened in March 2015 and the second phase, the East Building was completed in August 2017. Aurecon was involved in both stages of the project, contributing a comprehensive range of services including: structural, civil, geotechnical, environmental, traffic, specialist vibration, fire, rail, wind and facade engineering.

The redevelopment project includes an extension to the existing Adelaide Convention Centre and Exhibition Hall to facilitate an additional 4 300 m² of column free exhibition space. Phase one works included the expansion of the existing exhibition facility to the West above the railway lines and linking the new structure to the Montefiore Road Bridge.

The West Building spans the constricted rail corridor with two mega trusses, making it more like a bridge than a building. Sophisticated Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools were used to carefully consider design options that would enable the team to safely and economically develop the structure integrated with the architectural vision over an operational rail yard. The result is a spectacular superstructure at the west entry of the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Achieving iconic architecture with structural steel solutions

The client’s requirement was for iconic architecture, distinctive and emblematic of South Australia. “The structural steel solutions that Aurecon provided enabled the project team to deliver an outstanding result that blends an expressed structure with an architectural appearance inspired by the Flinders Ranges in outback South Australia. Together with Woods Bagot, Aurecon developed design solutions that addressed the structural challenge of a large span bridge and the architectural metaphor of the Flinders Ranges with triangular formed bridge trusses that complement the architectural idea” – James Trezona, Technical Director, Built Environment.

The new multipurpose West Building has a separate unique external identity but is integrated internally with the existing Adelaide Convention Centre and also makes provision to be similarly linked to the proposed East Building. Carefully staged construction, a highly collaborative approach and a fast track construction programme in advance of design completion were keys to the success of the project.

The project has been designed to be a landmark building on the Adelaide vista and to promote convention activity and associated income to the State and further strengthen the international standing of the existing facility amongst the most popular convention locations worldwide.

Awards for the Adelaide Convention Centre West Building project include: